Summary
Germany updated its travel advice for the US after three German nationals were detained despite holding valid visas or entry waivers.
The Foreign Office clarified that holding a US visa or ESTA approval does not guarantee entry, as border authorities have the final say.
Recent detentions include a green card holder held at Boston airport and two others detained at the US-Mexico border.
Germany investigates whether these cases reflect a broader policy shift under Trump’s tighter immigration policies.
It’s not an agency it’s the ministry of foreign affairs and right now they’re operating in maintenance mode as we don’t have a government proper, only a caretaker government until the Bundestag constitutes itself on the 25th where a new chancellor can be elected.
The change looks like it does because it’s the kind of change a ranking civil servant can do without checking in with their minister, it’s considered non-political.
That is important context, thank you. I still kind of think that taking an assertive stand against what the United States is doing to Germany citizens is the kind of clear call this minister probably ought to feel empowered to make, but on the other hand I have a deep appreciation for government workers who feel their obligations to upholding democratic systems, so this is a hard call to make I suppose.